Evaporator



M.J.KERMER Feb. 19, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 00 0 Q0000@ o o 00 0 .o 0000000 0000000. 0 0000000 0000000 .0 0 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 00000000 0000000 "0 0000000 0000000 -(Ww 0 0000000 0000000 $2 0000000 0000000 i 0000000 0000000 0 0000000 00000001 W h\ 7' 0 0000000 0000000 W 0000000 00000007 6 0 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 n I 0000000 0000000. 0 0000000 0000000 0 0000000 0000000 0000000 0000000 0 0000000 0000000 n I 0 0000000 OOOOOOOL 0 7 9 O O Q G O O O Q 0 0 0w INVENTOR ATTORNEYS M. J. KERMER F eb. 19, 1935.

EVAPORATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6, 1953 Z2 INVENTOR U 76 ATTORNEYS '0 o. 0. 0'0 0 .9 fi m v Patented Feb. 19, 1935 1,992,032 .nvarorwroa Martin'JJKermer, BuffalofN. 1L, assignor to Buffalo Foundry & Machine "Go.,-Buif alo,- N. 'Y.,

a corporation of New York Application October 6, 1933,, Serial him-692,517

acclaim. (01. 159- 28) This invention relates to an evaporator which is'niordparticularly intendedi'for eliminating exces's -moisturefifrom solutions'of a corrosive charact'er 'which can'not b'e treated in an apparatus made of materials which wouldbe attacked by thesolute o'f the solution. FFor example, a liquor such as-sulphuric acidwhi'ch' isused in the'process-of ma'k-ing; artificial silk and from which excessive moisture must be removed in order 'to' oil set the dilutionduring the .process and restore the strength of "the acid and permit of using the samerrepe'atedlyficannot be treated in an apparatus gha-ving steel for similar metal which is ex posed to the acid.

'It has therefore been "the custom to so construct evaporatorsflfor treating solutions containing sulphuric acid that all surfaces exposed 't'o'theuacid or corrosive liquid are made of lead or :othernon bbrrdsive material which is-not affiectedby 'the sam'e. In'such priorstructures the solution contacted with the outer' side of a;plu irality-of tubesiorflues'of lead or the like while steam was passed through the inner side of the tubes, and'the tube'scvrere supportedat their ends on sheets '01 plates of steel or iron having their inner surfacesceated'wi th leadorthe like which was burned on the flue-zplates-or sheets.

-I-Ieretofore-it was the custom to burn the coatings-ofileadon tothe inner "surface of the supportingisteel plate so asto 'form 'a non-corrosive lining on :the latter, which was notsatisfactory inasmuch -as this procedure was not only very expensive "due to the slowness oftheiprocess, but also because of the uncertainty of fully lining or facing the steel with'lead, c wing to thepos-sibility of leaving 'small'holes, openingsor crevices in the layer of lead-at diff er'entplaces: through which acid could work its way and attack 'the sup'po rting steelplate. t

It is the object j of this invention to provide an evaporator for eliminating moisture from corrosive liquors which so mounts the lead or noncorrosive linings or facings on the steel or corrosive supporting plates that these linings completely cover all parts of the supporting plates and :aresecurel-y connected therewith and reliablysupport the tubes and thereby render the apparatus strong and durable and avoid the necessity of frequent'attention or repairing,

1n the accompanying drawings:

Figure -1 "isya vertical section, on a reduced scale, of-an evaporator embodying a practical form-of my invention. 1 i 1 Figure 2 is a horizontal sectionv of the 'sa .e,

' taken online-Z-2 Fi 1.

'Figure3'is an elevation of 'one'of the headers forsupporting an'end of thetu'bes or flues.

Figure '4 "isa fragmentaryvertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of one of 'theheaders, manifold chambers, and "the "adjacent part of the evaporator body.

FFigure B is airagnienta'ry vertical transverse section;jon an enlarged scale, taken on line5-5 Fig. 1, and looking'inwardly. Figure '6'is a fragmentary vertical section, on anrenlarged scale, taken on line 6 6'-Fi'g. "5," and showingone form ofxpacking suitable for forming a tight jointbetween anend of;each evaporating tube and a tube header or support. Figure 'Tisa cross section tak'en'on line 7 Figure 8 is a vertical section similar to Fig.16, showing a rnodi'fiedform of the packing for the joint between each evaporating tube and the header of i a manifold chamber.

*Figures 9, 10 and I1 are fragmentary vertical sections showing the method of procedure in mounting a previously prepared non-corrosive sheet/or 1 plate on theinner side of one of the supportingplates ofr'aheader forming; partof a manifold of the evaporator.- 7 In the following' description similar characters of reference-indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The body of this evaporator which dorms the evaporating chamber ortank '10 adapted to receive theliquorto be evaporated, has-all of its parts which come in'conta'ct with the solution,

made of a corrosive'resistantflmaterial, suchas lead if the solute in the solution is sulphuric acid,

'andiinthe form'oi' this body as'showninFigs. 1

and 2, the ."same comprises an upright cylindrical side wall 11, a downwardly tapering or conical bottom 12 and'an upwardly dished top '13. The liquor to be treated may be introduced into the-evaporating chamber in any suitable manher, as for example through an inlet 14' inthe central part of the sidewall; and the liquor may be withdrawn through a discharge 15 adjacent to the lower end ofth'e conical bottom. The vapors produced in the evaporating chamber due to heating the liquor therein aredrawn off through a vapor outlet 16 in the top: of the-evaporator body by any suitable exhausting means so as to create a vacuum in the evaporating chamber, whereby the solution-in the evaporating chamber is'concentratedand, in-some cases salts or crystals are precipitated during the process of evap+ oration; 1

The means for heating the-liquor in the evapcrating chamber which embody the present rovements are constructed as follows:

The numeral 17 represents a plurality of heating tubes, pipes or flues which are made of lead or other corrosive resistant metal or material and which are arranged horizontally and extend transversely across the space within the lower part of the evaporating chamber so as to be submerged in the liquor therein. These heating tubes are heated by means of steam or other heating medium supplied to the interior of the same, which heat is transferred to the liquor by contact with the exterior of the heating tubes, thus vaporizing the water in the liquor and concentrating the liquor and in some instances producing salts or crystals.

Inasmuch as the heating tubes when made of lead for use in concentrating diluted sulphuric acid are comparatively weak and liable to become distorted, particularly when of considerable length, due to the weight'of the material and the absence of rigidity in the same, means are provided for supporting these tubes andmaintaining them constantly in the proper normal condition. The preferred means for accomplishing this purpose consist in placing a supporting tube or tubular core 18 of steel or the like in ,eachheating tube so that the periphery of the supporting tube fits closely against the bore of the respective heating tube, thereby preventing the latter from being distorted by any pressure which is exerted againstthe outer side of the same. For the purpose ofincreasing the heating effect of the steam on the heating tube the supporting tubes are provided with a plurality. of holes 19 which are suitably distributed throughout the length of each supporting tube so as to permit the heating medium to contact directly with the heating tube at a plurality of separated areas and thereby increase the heat transference and .still maintain a reliable support for the lead heating tubes.

7 Although various means may be employed for supplying a heating medium, such as steam, to the heating tubes and discharging the water of condensation of the spent steam it is preferable to utilize for this purpose the means which are constructed in accordance with this invention as follows:

The numeral 20 represents a heating medium inlet manifold chamber which communicates with one end of the several heating tubes, and 21 a heating medium outlet manifold chamber which communicates with the opposite ends of the heating tubes. Inasmuch as these manifold chambers are of substantially the same construction the following description of one applies to both so far as corresponding'parts are concerned.

Each of these manifold chambers includes an upright inner tube plate, sheet or header 22, an outer upright cover plate or wall 23 and a horizontal tubular side wall 24 arranged between the inner and outer plates 22, 23.

For securing greater strength and also economy the side wall of each manifold chamber is pref erably constructed of cast iron and the corresponding inner and outer plates are constructed of sheet steel. These manifold chambers are arranged externally of the evaporating chamber and opposite openings 25, 26 on diametrically opposite sides of the upright wall of the evaporating chamber through which the ends of the heating tube project. I On its exterior the evaporating chamber is provided with a horizontal collar 35 around each of said openings 25, 26.

The marginal part of the tube plate of each manifold chamber 24 is arranged between the inner end of the respective manifold side wall and the outer end of the respective collar 35 of the evaporator body side wall and secured to these parts by means of bolts Z'Tpassing through the marginal parts of this tube plate and flanges 28, 29 formed respectively on the outer endof said collar and the inner end of this manifold side wall, as shown in Fig. 4. The outer cover plate 23 of each manifold chamber is connected with the outer end of the respective side wall 24 by bolts 30 or other suitable means. The inlet manifold isprovided in its top with an inlet 31 for steam when this medium is used for heating the liquor to be concentrated, and each of the manifold chambers is provided at its bottom with an outlet 32 through whichwater of condensation is removed from the manifold chambers and the heating tubes communicating therewith.

Each of the tube plates is provided with a plurality of tube openings33 through each of which one end of a heating tube and its supporting tube projects from the evaporating chamber into one of the manifold chambers. For the purpose of protectingthe steel tube sheets of themani I fold chambers against corrosion by the liquor which is being concentrated andalso'to form a leak-tight joint between each heating tube and the tube plates, the following'means are provided.

The numeral 34 represents a protecting plate. lining, facing or covering of lead or. other corrosion resistant'metal or material which extends over the entire surface of that part of the inner side of each tube plate which is within the re-' spective collar 35 of theevaporator body and thus protects the same against attack by the corrosive liquors which are being evaporated,

such as diluted sulphuric acid. This protecting covering comprises a previously prepared plate which is provided with a plurality of integral bushings, collars, or tubular nipples 36 each 01' which is formed integrally with the respective non-corrosive plate and projects outwardly there from and into one of the tube openings 33 of the respective tube sheet. Each of these tube open! ings is provided adjacent to its inner end with an internal outwardly facing shoulder whichmay be either at right angles to'the axis of this opening, as shown at 37 in Figs. 4 and 6, or the same may be of outwardly'flaring or conically enlarging form, as shown at 38 in Fig. 8. In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 6 the outer end of each bushing or nipple 36 is provided with an external flange 39 which is integral with the respective.

bushing and bent at right angles to the axis of the same and into engagement with the shoulder 37, thereby securely interlocking the respective tube sheet and corrosive resistant covering and holding the same tightly together in an assembled position.

Each of the heating tubes passes at its opposite ends through the corresponding bushings or nipples of the corrosive resistant coverings 01' the respective manifold chamber tube sheets and fits these bushings fairly tight, but to ensure against leakage through the joints between the heating tubes and the corrosive resistant coverings from the evaporating chamber to the manifold chambers packing means are provided which, in the form shown in Fig. 6, are constructed as follows:

The numeral 40 represents a packing ring'or cating with opposite ends of said tubes.

5. An evaporator comprising an, evaporating chamber adapted to contain" the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arranged-at opposite sides of said chamber and each provided with a plurality of tube'openings, and an internal outwardly facing shoulder ineach of said openings, a noncorrodiblelining arrangedon the inner side of each of: said tube plates and provided with a plurality of integral bushings each of which projects outwardly into oneof said'tube openings and is provided at its outer end with a laterally projecting flange which engages with the outwardly facing shoulder in the respective tube opening, and a plurality of non-corrodible heating tubes arranged in said evaporating chamber and each having its opposite ends arranged in corresponding bushings. of the linings on said tube plates.

6. An evaporator comprising anevaporating chamber adapted to contain the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arranged at opposite sides of said chamber and each provided with a plurality of tube openings, a, non-corrodible, lining arranged on the inner side of each tube plate and having a plurality of tubular bushings each of which projects outwardly into one of, the openings in one of said tube plates, and a plurality of heating tubes arranged in said chamber and adapted to receive a heating medium and each having its ends arranged in corresponding bushings of said linings, and packing means arranged in the outerpart of each of said tube openings around the heating tube'thereinand engaging with the bushing of the lining of the respective tube plate.

7. An evaporator comprising an evaporating chamber adapted to contain the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arranged at opposite sides of said chamber and each" provided with aplurality of tube openings, and an internal outwardly facing shoulder in each of said openings,

a non-corrodible lining arranged on the inner side of each said tube plates and provided with a pluralityof integral bushings each of which projects outwardly into one of said tube openings and is provided at its outer end with alaterally projecting flange which engages with .the outwardly facing shoulder in the respective tube opening, a plurality of non-corrodible heating tubes arranged in said evaporating chamber and each having its opposite ends arranged in corresponding bushings of the linings on said tube plates, and packing means arranged in the outer part of each of said tube openings around the heating tube therein and engaging with the flange of the respective bushing.

8. An evaporator comprising an evaporating chamber adapted to contain the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arranged at opposite sides of said chamber and each provided with a plurality of tube openings, and an internal outwardly facing shoulder in each of said openings, a noncorrodible lining arranged on the inner side of each of said tube plates and provided with a plurality of integral bushings each of which pro- J'ects outwardly into one of said tube openings and is provided at its outer endwith a laterally projecting flange which engages with the outwardly facing shoulder in the respective tube opening, a plurality of non-corrodible heating tubes arranged in said evaporating chamber and each having its opposite ends'arranged in corresponding'bushings of the linings on said tube plates, a'packing surrounding each of said heating tubeswithin one of said tube openings and bearing against the outer side of the flange 0f the respective bushing, and a gland screwed into the outer end, of each tube opening and engaging its inner end .with the outer end of the respective packing.

9. An evaporator comprising an evaporating chamber adapted to contain the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arrangedat opposite sides of said chamber and each provided with a plurality of tube openings, and an internaloutwardly facing shoulder in each of said openings, a noncorrodible lining arranged :onthe inner sidenf each of said tube plates and provided with a pinrality of integral bushings, each of which pro- ,jects outwardly into one of said tube openings and is provided at its outercnd 'with a laterally projecting flange which engages with the'outwardly facing shoulder in the respective tube opening, a.-plurality of non-corrodible heating tubes. arrangedin said evaporating chamber and each having its-opposite ends arranged'in corresponding bushings of the'linings on said tube plates, a packing surrounding each of said heat- ;ing tubes within one of 'said tube openings and bearing against the outer side of theflange of the respective bushing, and a gland screwed into the'outer end of each tube opening and engaging its inner end with the outer end of the respective packing, saidflange having an outwardly flaring face, said gland having an inwardly flaring face, and said packing vhaving its innerand outer. ends taperedto correspond to the flaring faces of said fiangeandgland. V q 10. An'evaporator comprising an evaporating chamber adapted to contain the solution to be evaporated, tube plates arranged at opposite sides of said chamber and each provided with a'plurality of tube openings, 2. non-corrodible lining arranged on the inner side of each tube plate and having a plurality'oftubular bushings, each'of which projects outwardly into one of the openingsin. one of said tube plates, a plurality of heating tubes arranged in said chamber and adapted to receive a heating medium, and each having its ends arranged in corresponding bushings of said linings, and'packing means'arranged in the outer part of each of said tube openings around the heating tubes therein and engaging with the bushing of the lining of the respective tube plate, and including an innerpacking ring having aflat transverse inner face engaging the outer side of thelrespective bushing-flange and a tapering outer end,-an intermediate follower ring having a flaring inner face engaging with around each of said holes to form integral bushings thereon, assembling said plates so that they engage each other and'the bushings of the protecting plate project into the openings of the supporting plate, and bending the outer end of -75 the bushing in each opening to form an annular flange which engages the shoulder thereof.

12. An evaporator including a chamber having a. wall comprising a supporting sheet of corrodible 5 material provided with a plurality of openings and a protecting sheet of non-corrodible material engaging with one side of said supporting sheet and having a plurality of integral tubular bushings each of which projects into one of said openings of the supporting sheet, and a plurality of tubes of non-corrodible material arranged in said bushings.

MARTIN J. KERMER. 

